Forum: Nothin’ to do? Get to economic map drawin’

Friday

Apr 4, 2014 at 2:33 PM

Since the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and various economic development and business groups seem to be inactive, I suggest that they get busy creating special maps. The region needs saturation maps showing areas of massive governmental regulation and areas of low governmental regulation for each type of industry.

The groups need to drop maps proposing new shopping centers due to the great proliferation of shopping centers and competition from Internet retailers. They should quit producing colorful brochures and web sites. They should quit drawing ring road maps.

They should produce maps showing tax-free sections in each county. They should produce maps that show Branson-like sections in each county. Four sections in each county should be designated EPA-free. Some sections in each county should be identified as market-determined wage and benefit areas. Garbage dump areas should be designated in each township.

The work could be divided evenly among these groups. The maps don’t need to be fancy. Cheap newspaper print and a common grade of black ink would be sufficient.

These maps would help economic development occur. I am prepared to offer further suggestions should they be desired.